Pickleball Fever Hits Tri-Cities: What was once a niche activity has surged into the spotlight. Pickleball, now the fastest-growing sport in the U.S., has brought its elite players to the Tri-Cities. The Bristol Open is the latest stop on the PPA Tour, featuring 130 of the nation’s top pickleball pros.
A Humble Start
For many, including professional pickleball player Zane Navratil, the journey from novice to pro began with a surprising twist.
“My dad actually got me into pickleball in high school,” Navratil recalled. “I was a tennis player, I thought it was a sport for old people and in 2013 to my defense, it kind of was. He took me to the Caesar-Chavez center and I very quickly went out there, thought I was gonna mop the floor with them and got my butt kicked by some guys named Harvey, Lyle, and Al. I remember their names because I have yet to meet someone my age named Harvey, Lyle, or Al. They were all three times my age, kicked my butt and I got humbled very quickly and I got kind of hooked on it that way.” – (Zane Navratil)
Growing Popularity
Navratil’s experience shows the sport’s rapid evolution.
“When I first started playing, I told people that I was playing pickleball and nobody knew what I was talking about and the people that did know kind of laughed at me and were like ‘yeah, whatever’ and now everybody knows pickleball.” – (Zane Navratil)
Future of the Sport
Fellow PPA Tour member Jessie Irvine adds to this perspective, noting,
“Pickleball is so new and so young in this professional kind of aspect of it, that it’s gonna keep evolving and you’re gonna see new things each year and that’s what makes it exciting.”
Tips for Amateurs
For those inspired to take up the sport, Irvine offers practical advice:
“Less is more, I think sometimes people overcomplicate things and they think things too much, honestly, just making balls and keeping things simple is probably going to be your best friend in pickleball. It’s really easy to pick up and learn, it’s one of those things where it’s easy to learn, hard to master so it’s always challenging but it’s fun at the same time.” – (Irvine)
As the Bristol Open draws to a close on Sunday, enthusiasts have a final opportunity to experience the excitement of high-level pickleball and gather tips from the sport’s top players.
News in Brief: Pickleball Fever Hits Tri-Cities
The pickleball phenomenon has reached the Tri-Cities with the Bristol Open drawing top pros from across the nation. The PPA Tour, showcasing 130 professional players, reflects the sport’s explosive growth since its mainstream emergence.
Participants like Zane Navratil and Jessie Irvine highlight the evolution of pickleball, emphasizing its increasing popularity and continued development. The Bristol Open, which concludes on Sunday, offers fans a chance to witness elite competition and pick up tips from seasoned players.
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